History of Vietnam

Proto-Austroasiatic migration

The proposed route of Austroasiatic and Austronesian migration into Indonesia and the geographic distribution of sites that have produced red-slipped and cord-marked pottery

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Ethnolinguistic map of Indochina 1970

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Pottery fruit tray Sa Huynh Culture 2

Qin Empire in the south of Yangtze River (210 BC)

Trong dong Dong Son

== History of Vietnam ==

The history of Vietnam is a complex and rich tapestry that spans thousands of years, marked by periods of independence, colonization, and conflict. The region now known as Vietnam has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, with evidence of early human settlements dating back to around 500,000 years ago.

Prehistoric Vietnam

The earliest known cultures in Vietnam include the Son Vi culture (circa 20,000–10,000 BCE) and the Hoa Binh culture (circa 10,000–2000 BCE). These early societies were primarily hunter-gatherers who gradually transitioned to agriculture.

Ancient Vietnam

The first significant state in Vietnamese history was the Van Lang kingdom, established by the Hùng Kings around 2879 BCE. This period is often referred to as the Hồng Bàng dynasty. The Dong Son culture, known for its advanced bronze casting techniques, emerged around 1000 BCE and is considered a hallmark of early Vietnamese civilization.

Chinese Domination

Vietnam experienced over a millennium of Chinese domination, beginning with the Han dynasty in 111 BCE. This period saw significant cultural and administrative influence from China, although there were numerous uprisings, such as the Trung Sisters' rebellion in 40 CE and the Lady Triệu uprising in 248 CE.

Independent Vietnam

Vietnam regained its independence in 938 CE after the Battle of Bạch Đằng River, led by Ngô Quyền. This victory marked the beginning of the Ngô dynasty, followed by the Đinh dynasty, Early Lê dynasty, and the Lý dynasty, which established the capital at Thăng Long (modern-day Hanoi).

The Đại Việt Era

The Trần dynasty (1225–1400) is noted for repelling three major Mongol invasions. The Lê dynasty (1428–1789) saw the consolidation of Vietnamese territory and the establishment of a centralized state. The Ming dynasty briefly occupied Vietnam from 1407 to 1427, but the Vietnamese regained independence under Lê Lợi.

The Nguyễn Dynasty

The Nguyễn dynasty (1802–1945) was the last ruling dynasty of Vietnam. Nguyễn Ánh unified the country and declared himself Emperor Gia Long. The dynasty faced numerous challenges, including internal rebellions and increasing French influence.

French Colonization

In the mid-19th century, Vietnam became a part of French Indochina. The French colonial period brought significant changes to Vietnamese society, economy, and infrastructure but also led to widespread resistance and the rise of nationalist movements.

The Vietnam War

Following the First Indochina War (1946–1954), Vietnam was divided into North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was a prolonged conflict between the communist North, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and the anti-communist South, backed by the United States. The war ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.

Modern Vietnam

Since reunification, Vietnam has undergone significant economic and social changes. The country implemented Đổi Mới (Renovation) policies in 1986, transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. Today, Vietnam is a rapidly developing nation with a growing role in regional and global affairs.

Related Pages

• Vietnam
• Vietnam War
• Nguyễn dynasty
• French Indochina
• Đổi Mới
• Hùng Kings
• Trung Sisters
• Lê Lợi